The film, set in 1950s America, is described as "the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family" and revolves around the relationship between a father and son.

It is one of 20 films in the running to pick up the festival's coveted Palme d'Or prize.

Angelina, the other half of the celebrity power couple dubbed Brangelina by the press, faced the cameras on Thursday when she attended a press conference in support of her new animated film Kung Fu Panda 2, which is not in competition.

The star who has six children with Brad, including three who are adopted, said her film had some "pretty heavy lessons" for its young audience including her own children.

She told reporters the fact the storyline deals with issues around adoption was not a problem.

She said: "I brought the children to see the movie and they loved it and laughed the whole time and I wondered whether they would ask me questions about it... birth mothers and orphanage and all that, these are happy words - they are very, very used to these discussions."

Angelina, who described herself as "a mom who is changing beds and colouring all night long", said the whole family were in Cannes for the annual festival.

She said: "It can be overwhelming but you also meet a lot of friendly faces and have a good laugh and you also get a chance to see some great films."